In a jaw-dropping legal twist that’s sending shockwaves through the sports world, NFL great Steve Smith Sr. is at the center of a lawsuit filed by a former police officer who claims the football star had a months-long affair with his wife
Antonio Martinez, a former San Antonio police officer and U.S. Army veteran, has filed a civil suit against the former Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver under North Carolina’s rare “alienation of affection” law… sometimes referred to as the “homewrecker law.” The suit was filed in Mecklenburg County Superior Court and served to Smith, a resident of the area, last Friday.
Martinez alleges that Smith carried on a secret affair with his wife, Nicole… a member of the Ravens’ marching band… that led to the breakdown of their marriage. According to the court filing, Martinez learned of the alleged affair on February 22, moments after the couple had been intimate. He reportedly saw Smith’s name pop up repeatedly on his wife’s phone, prompting a direct confrontation.
The complaint states that Martinez called Smith and bluntly asked, “Hey, yo Steve… Yeah, you’ve been f***ing my wife, bro. Whatcha gotta say for yourself?” Smith’s alleged response? A simple, “I’m sorry.”
Martinez’s attorney, Christopher Adkins, says the impact of the affair was emotionally crushing. Already battling PTSD from his military service, Martinez was left devastated by the betrayal. “This isn’t about chasing a payday,” Adkins told The Independent. “He’s emotionally broken and trying to figure out how to move forward.”
Adding fuel to the public fire, Martinez previously posted screenshots of alleged text conversations between Smith and his wife on social media, which he says prove the affair. Martinez and Nicole, who met on Tinder in 2000 and married the following year, have one child together and share five more from prior relationships. They separated on the same day the affair came to light.
Smith, known for his fiery personality both on and off the field, has not publicly responded to the accusations. His attorney, Jonathan Feit, also declined to comment.
North Carolina is one of only a few states that still allow spouses to sue third parties for contributing to the failure of a marriage. If the allegations hold up in court, Smith could face significant legal and financial repercussions.
